GCNet Makes Strong Case For Data Protection

The Ghana Community Network Services Limited (GCNet) is rallying support from corporate Ghana to partner the Data Protection Commission in the implementation of the Data Protection Act in the wake of the growing information economy and its associated opportunities and risks.

Making a presentation on the perspectives of GCNet on Data Protection during the 2017 Data Protection Conference, Deputy Manager for I.T Security, Mr. Roger Akrong noted such support for the Data Protection Commission was critical to consolidate the data protection and information security regimes in the country to accelerate growth.

Mr. Akrong is convinced that corporate Ghana’s support in the implementation of the Data Protection Act is a sure recipe to creating an enabling environment for all stakeholders involved in the information economy to build a robust, vibrant I.T driven country.

He further observed that it was important for Ghana to commit to progressive regulation in data protection management since data protection has assumed a central role in the digital and information economy globally.

Mr. Akrong stressed that GCNet as a repository of government data was proud to have partnered the Commission over the years adding that GCNet continues to leverage on many international certification regimes including ISO 27001 for information security management and ISO 9000 for quality management to further ensure security standards and compliance.

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the President, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovations, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng directed all government institutions which had not registered with the Data Protection Commission to do so immediately as a matter of urgency as part of long term initiatives by government to effectively plan the developmental agenda of the country.

In her opening address, Minister of Communications, Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful underscored the impact of data protection on the growth and development of Information and Communications technologies and reiterated her Ministry’s commitment to provide policy direction that creates a balance to facilitate the development and growth of ICT in Ghana.

Executive Director of the Data Protection Commission, Mrs Teki Akuetteh-Falconer announced that her outfit would in June this year launch the framework to serve as guideline for the implementation of the provisions as enshrined in the Data Protection Act in order to ensure compliance.

GCNet plays a major role in Ghana’s Digital Economy on the back of the deployment of e-solutions such as the Ghana Cargo Clearance Systems, Ghana Customs Management Systems, e- Tax and eRegistration among others which have a direct impact on ability of government machinery in meeting the needs of the citizenry.